In the span of 13 innings on Saturday, requiring three hours, 30 minutes, Sandberg got a slew of pro “firsts'' out of the way.

Leading off the game for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, Sandberg collected his first strikeout, off 21-year-old Blue Jay starter Jimmy Cordero, a 2012 non-drafted free agent.

The next time up, the Phillies' third-round pick recorded his first hit, a line-drive single to left field, again off Cordero.

Later, Sandberg registered his first putout playing left field. He also learned one critical necessity of the GCL, known by many as the Gulf Roast League for its ridiculously hot noon starts.

Never, ever forget the sunscreen.

“I know that's going to cost me (on Sunday),'' he said.

This wasn't a Manatee High football game, fans sardined into the stands, star quarterback Cord Sandberg leading the Hurricanes to another touchdown, another victory.

This was the GCL, a rookie league chockablock with talented players a la Sandberg. And he shouldn't have any trouble spotting family and friends in the stands.

Saturday's game was the first of a doubleheader, so when Sandberg stepped into the box to face Cordero at approximately 10 a.m., 17 people occupied the aluminum bleachers at field No. 2 of the Bobby Mattick Training Center.

Yes, grandma Marion “Pou'' Crisp made it, along with Cord's aunt and uncle. Dad Chuck and brother Chase arrived later, in time to watch Cord finish his first pro contest.

They'll be better ones ahead. Playing all 13 innings, Sandberg finished 1-for-6, with two strikeouts.

But it's official. The name “Cord Sandberg'' forever will have an entry in Baseball Reference.

The start. Enough to comprehend just how difficult this journey is going to be.

“It's tough,'' Sandberg said. “It's going to take a while. The speed of the game and just the level of pitching is way more advanced than I've ever faced.

“It's a lot better. The guys you face every day here, I think we faced 2-3 guys in high school that are the caliber of these guys. Instead of 2-3 times a year, you face it every day.''

He lives in a hotel with a roommate and walks each morning to the Phillies' complex. There's work in the batting cages, followed by infield and outfield sessions, followed by the game.

Just the way Cord wants it.

“It's all baseball, all the time.''

He managed to snare No. 24, his number with the Hurricanes. The team's equipment manager Googled Sandberg's name “and he saw me in my football stuff and I was wearing No. 24.''

Say hey, Cord.

It's still too early for the Phillie coaches to begin tweaking anything with their young charges. For now, Sandberg said, the team is videotaping the workouts for referencing later.

“They're just letting us play, just kind of taking notes, seeing strengths and weaknesses and different things, and a little bit later, they'll probably work on some stuff.''

Game 1, in the books. Cord's next action will come Monday in Tampa, against the GCL Yankees. Another opportunity to improve, even a little bit.

“It's going to take some work, every day, and hopefully you find it and you get there,'' he said. “This is it right here. This is the dream.

<p>DUNEDIN</p><p>Cord Sandberg couldn't wait for the first game of his professional baseball career.</p><p>Then the former Manatee High star couldn't wait for it to finish.</p><p>“I'm pretty tired,'' he said. “After nine (innings), I was feeling OK. Those extra four got me.''</p><p>In the span of 13 innings on Saturday, requiring three hours, 30 minutes, Sandberg got a slew of pro “firsts'' out of the way.</p><p>Leading off the game for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, Sandberg collected his first strikeout, off 21-year-old Blue Jay starter Jimmy Cordero, a 2012 non-drafted free agent.</p><p>The next time up, the Phillies' third-round pick recorded his first hit, a line-drive single to left field, again off Cordero.</p><p>Later, Sandberg registered his first putout playing left field. He also learned one critical necessity of the GCL, known by many as the Gulf Roast League for its ridiculously hot noon starts.</p><p>Never, ever forget the sunscreen.</p><p>“I know that's going to cost me (on Sunday),'' he said.</p><p>This wasn't a Manatee High football game, fans sardined into the stands, star quarterback Cord Sandberg leading the Hurricanes to another touchdown, another victory.</p><p>This was the GCL, a rookie league chockablock with talented players a la Sandberg. And he shouldn't have any trouble spotting family and friends in the stands.</p><p>Saturday's game was the first of a doubleheader, so when Sandberg stepped into the box to face Cordero at approximately 10 a.m., 17 people occupied the aluminum bleachers at field No. 2 of the Bobby Mattick Training Center.</p><p>Yes, grandma Marion “Pou'' Crisp made it, along with Cord's aunt and uncle. Dad Chuck and brother Chase arrived later, in time to watch Cord finish his first pro contest.</p><p>They'll be better ones ahead. Playing all 13 innings, Sandberg finished 1-for-6, with two strikeouts.</p><p>But it's official. The name “Cord Sandberg'' forever will have an entry in Baseball Reference.</p><p>The start. Enough to comprehend just how difficult this journey is going to be.</p><p>“It's tough,'' Sandberg said. “It's going to take a while. The speed of the game and just the level of pitching is way more advanced than I've ever faced.</p><p>“It's a lot better. The guys you face every day here, I think we faced 2-3 guys in high school that are the caliber of these guys. Instead of 2-3 times a year, you face it every day.''</p><p>He lives in a hotel with a roommate and walks each morning to the Phillies' complex. There's work in the batting cages, followed by infield and outfield sessions, followed by the game.</p><p>Just the way Cord wants it.</p><p>“It's all baseball, all the time.''</p><p>He managed to snare No. 24, his number with the Hurricanes. The team's equipment manager Googled Sandberg's name “and he saw me in my football stuff and I was wearing No. 24.''</p><p>Say hey, Cord.</p><p>It's still too early for the Phillie coaches to begin tweaking anything with their young charges. For now, Sandberg said, the team is videotaping the workouts for referencing later.</p><p>“They're just letting us play, just kind of taking notes, seeing strengths and weaknesses and different things, and a little bit later, they'll probably work on some stuff.''</p><p>Game 1, in the books. Cord's next action will come Monday in Tampa, against the GCL Yankees. Another opportunity to improve, even a little bit.</p><p>“It's going to take some work, every day, and hopefully you find it and you get there,'' he said. “This is it right here. This is the dream.</p><p>“Just trying to become a major leaguer and this is where it starts.''</p>